Dubuque to host 4 big sporting events

DUBUQUE (KWWL) -- The Dubuque Regional Sports Commission announced the city will host 4 big sporting events in 2009, providing a huge boost to the economy.

Here's the release from the Dubuque Regional Sports Commission:

The Dubuque Regional Sports Commission announces four sporting events coming to Dubuque this winter. The events include a national, regional and two state-wide events and represent a significant economic impact to the Dubuque community.

For the second consecutive year, the Dubuque Regional Sports Commission received a $50,000 grant from the State of Iowa. Only ten Sports Authority Districts in the state of Iowa receive the grant. Created during the 2007 Legislative session, the Regional Sports Authority District program was designed to certify up to 10 districts for the promotion of athletics and sporting events. The Dubuque Regional Sports Commission distributes the funds through a grant program. This year, fifteen events will benefit from the funding.

The Dubuque Regional Sports Commission is pleased to announce that the USA Archery World Team Indoor Trials will be held in Dubuque on January 2-4, 2009. The event will be hosted in the newly constructed Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center on the University of Dubuque Campus. Over 70 participants will be traveling to Dubuque with their families from across the country including Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey and Arizona. The estimated economic impact to Dubuque of this event is $325,000. Qualifiers from this event will compete in Poland for additional qualifying rounds for the USA Archery Team.

The Iowa Special Olympic Winter Games will celebrate their 24th year this January 12-14th. Over 400 athletes will participate in figure skating, snowshoeing, speed skating and more. More than 160 coaches and 300 volunteers make this annual event a success. Estimated economic impact of $438,000.

The Iowa State Men's Bowling Tournament will be hosted in Dubuque on weekends beginning February 7 thru May 17, 2009. Events will take place at Bowling and Beyond and Creslanes. With 10,000 participants visiting Dubuque over the course of four months, this event will make a significant economic impact of $5 million.

The Central States Hockey League will hit the ice at Dubuque Five Flags Arena March 20-22, 2009 for the Hurster Cup. Four teams from throughout the region will participate. This is the second consecutive year Dubuque will host the Hurster Cup. The economic impact of this event is $656,000.

Through the Dubuque Regional Sports Commission, the Dubuque area is able to grow existing and attract new sporting and athletic events. The $50,000 State of Iowa grant will have a total impact of $16 million to the Dubuque area.